Thank you for that clarification John. Also, many thanks for the exemplary standard with which you conducted your duties at the English Open Championship. Without people like you the game would be much the poorer. You are so much appreciated and such a good friend.

Thank you both for the kind words which I appreciate greatly. At the prize-giving ceremony I dedicated this tournament win to three people. To my late father for introducing me to the game, to Jan Mortimer for giving me the encouragement to play in the event and to my wonderful friend and brilliant coach Mac Banks, without whom I could not have won the tournament. I was fortunate to have the dreaded 9-13, 22-18, 11-16, opening drawn in the final round against former British Open champion Colin Young. My coach has taught me an enormous amount on this opening (and all others) and has increased my knowledge immensely and so I was delighted when the referee drew this from the ballot! I was able to score a win and a draw required to win the title. Thank you Mac for being my great friend and a coach without equal.